The e-reader game just got a serious upgrade with the reMarkable Paper Pro. This thing isn’t just another e-reader, it’s shaking things up with a gorgeous color display and a killer writing experience. If you’re wondering how it stacks up against the competition, we’ve got you covered with a full breakdown in our guide to the best e-readers of 2024.
What’s New, and Why Should You Care?
So, what’s the big deal with the reMarkable Paper Pro? Here’s why I’m hyped:
- Massive 11.8” color screen. Yep, COLOR. Finally!
- Super smooth writing experience. Feels ridiculously close to real paper.
- Adjustable reading light. No more blinding yourself during late-night reading sessions.
- Insane two-week battery life. No more scrambling for a charger mid-book.
The Display: A Game Changer
I’ve seen plenty of e-readers, but this screen? It’s next level. reMarkable is using something called Canvas Color tech (based on E Ink Gallery™ 3), which means we’re finally getting rich, vibrant digital ink, perfect for notes, sketches, and, well, everything else.
The Good Stuff:
- Colors! No more boring grayscale highlights.
- Still feels like writing on paper, no plasticky nonsense.
- A massive 11.8” screen gives you plenty of room for notes and documents.
The Not-So-Good:
- Color e-ink isn’t as punchy as an LCD or OLED screen.
- It’s bigger than most e-readers, so maybe don’t expect it to fit in your jacket pocket. (Unless you’ve got giant pockets. In which case, lucky you.)
Writing on It Feels Amazing
reMarkable nailed the writing experience again. You get two stylus options:
- The regular Marker: Feels like a great pencil in digital form.
- The Marker Plus: Has an eraser on the end. Game-changer for perfectionists like me.
Both feel buttery smooth, like actual pen on paper. It’s almost eerie how good it is.
- Handwriting recognition for easy conversion of notes to text
- Cloud sync for seamless access across devices
- Integration with popular cloud storage services
- A range of color tools for organization and creativity
Battery Life & Connectivity
Ever had your e-reader die right before a long flight? Not fun. Good news: the Paper Pro lasts two weeks on a single charge. That’s longer than most leftovers survive in my fridge. Plus, it’s got 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi and a USB-C port for charging and file transfers.
reMarkable Paper Pro vs. reMarkable 2: What’s Different?
| Feature | Paper Pro | reMarkable 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $579 | From $379 |
| Display | 11.8” color | 10.3” monochrome |
| Resolution | 2160 x 1620 (229 PPI) | 1872 x 1404 (226 DPI) |
| Colors | 20,000 | Black & white only |
| Reading Light | Yes, adjustable | No |
| Processor | 1.8 GHz quad-core | 1.2 GHz dual-core |
| RAM | 2 GB | 1 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB | 8 GB |
| Battery Life | Up to 2 weeks | Up to 2 weeks |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Weight | 525 g (1.16 lbs) | 403.5 g (0.89 lbs) |
| Size | Larger & heavier | Slimmer & lighter |
Key Takeaways:
- The Paper Pro has color, a bigger screen, and a reading light.
- More storage, RAM, and a faster processor.
- Same battery life, but bigger and pricier.
How It Stacks Up Against Traditional E-Readers
While the Paper Pro does e-reader things well, it’s really in a league of its own:
- Color Display: A rare gem in the e-reader world.
- Bigger Screen: Most e-readers are 6-8”. This? A massive 11.8”.
- Best-in-Class Writing Experience: Feels like writing with a high-end pen, not a cheap stylus.
- Versatility: A perfect mix of an e-reader, notebook, and sketchpad.
Is This for You?
Let’s be real, this isn’t for everyone. But if you:
- Love taking handwritten notes or sketching
- Want an e-reader with more functionality
- Need a device that can handle both reading and productivity
…then this might be your new best friend.
- You’re the type who color-codes their entire life
- You’ve ever dreamed of being a digital artist but can’t stand the glare of regular tablets
- You’re a student drowning in textbooks and notes
- You’re a professional who frequently reviews and annotates documents
- You’re an e-reader enthusiast who’s been craving something more
The Bottom Line
The reMarkable Paper Pro isn’t cheap, and it’s probably overkill if all you need is a simple e-reader. But if you want a device that seamlessly blends reading, note-taking, and drawing, with a stunning color display, this is worth every penny.
So, should you get one? If you’re a gadget-loving bookworm like me, absolutely. Just be warned: once you go color, you might never go back!
Learn more or grab yours here.
And hey, don’t wait too long. These things are flying off the shelves, and you don’t want to be stuck in grayscale while everyone else is living in full color, right?
That’s it, folks! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some digital doodling to do.
